Nepalese Holy month of Shrawan begins

11:09, July 18, 2011

Nepalese are observing the beginning of the Holy month of Shrawan (July-August) from Sunday.

Shrawan is the fourth month in the Nepali Hindu calendar. The month is also observed as a Holy month amongst the Hindu population in India and all over the world.

The month is considered highly auspicious as it is devoted to great Lord Shiva, the supreme god in Hindu religion.

Every Monday of the month is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is worshipped by offering milk and other submissions.

The month holds higher significance to Hindu women as they fast on the first day of the month and every Monday in worship of Lord Shiva.

People in large numbers gather at the Pashupatinath temple, one of the holiest temples of Lord Shiva, which is located in the Nepali capital Kathmandu. They light butter lamps and incense in the name of the lord.

Young Nepalese women fast on Mondays of this month wishing for a great husband while the married women fast praying for long lives of their husband.

Women dress in red attire and wear green bangles which are considered very auspicious for the month.

They also put tattoos of henna (Mehendi) on their hands.

Talking to Xinhua, Junu Khadka, a devotee, said that she has been fasting regularly since she was a young girl.

"First I used to fast for a good husband, which has been true for me. Now I have a great husband and a good family, now I fast for the long life of my husband," she said.

"We refrain from non-vegetable food and on Mondays, we fast throughout the day. We also visit the temple of Lord Shiva and worship him," Khadka said.

It is a natural phenomenon that Shravan also sees incessant rainfall. It is believed that Lord Shiva showers his blessings in the form of water which is the source of life.

Likewise, the month also sees an increase in businesses of bangles and henna and other jewelries.

Prakash Poudel, who owns a cosmetic shop, told Xinhua that his business sales increase with women buying bangles and other items for jewelry.

"The business just keeps on increasing. The demand for green and red bangles is high at this time of the month. They also buy henna to decorate their hands," he said.

Likewise, beauty parlors are crowded with women and girls who want to put henna tattoos on their hands.